Sports History On This Day: July 4

July 4, 1907 – Across the pond at the Wimbledon Men’s Tennis tournament a milestone event occurred. Australian Norman Brookes became the first non-Englishman to win Wimbledon beating Arthur Gore in straight sets- 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Brookes was also the first left-handed player to win the annual event getting cheers from South-paws all over the globe. Brookes, who almost always had his signature driver’s cap on along with a button-down top, pressed trousers and spit-shined white shoes, was always a very dapper player.

This victory provided some solace for Brookes who lost the 1905 finale to one of the fraternity’s five-time champions, Laurie Doherty, 8-6, 6-2, 6-4. He is so highly regarded “Downunder” that the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup is presented each year to the winner of the Australian Open Men’s Championship.

To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.

an early tennis player is extracted from Spalding's Athletic Library and the 1916 lawn tennis Rules book.
The photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of This image of an early tennis player is extracted from Spalding's Athletic Library and the 1916 lawn tennis Rules book. Special thanks to the resources of SABR.org, Newspapers.com and OnThisDay.com for the information obtained.

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